Epic Games has unveiled its latest initiative, the Epic Web Shops service, designed specifically for both PC and mobile users. This innovative service leverages Epic’s self-publishing tools, empowering developers to establish a direct-to-consumer storefront for selling in-game content through Epic’s vast distribution network and ecommerce platform.
Revenue Model and Developer Benefits
One of the standout features of this service is its favorable revenue model. Developers can retain all earnings from their first million in net revenue per game. After surpassing this threshold, the revenue split shifts to an impressive 88% for developers and 12% for Epic, ensuring that creators are well-compensated for their efforts.
Moreover, purchases made through the Web Shops will be eligible for Epic Rewards, allowing players to earn credits that can be redeemed in future transactions, thus enhancing the overall gaming experience.
Implementation and Features
Once operational, the Web Shops will be prominently featured on a developer’s product page under a dedicated ‘Web Shop’ tab on PCs. This setup facilitates the sale of items outside the app environment, broadening the scope for developers. Mobile support via the Epic Game Store app is anticipated to roll out later this year, further expanding accessibility.
Developers and publishers who hold a registered Epic Games Developer account and have eligible products can seamlessly take advantage of this new feature. The service is tailored to support the sale of “consumable sales,” including virtual currencies and items, although it does not extend to Web3 games.
Pioneering the Web Shop Experience
Codename Entertainment has taken the lead as the first to implement a live Web Shop, launching it with their game, Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms. This pioneering move highlights the potential of the Epic Web Shops service in reshaping how developers engage with their audiences.
Earlier this year, Epic Games had hinted at the development of this webshop feature, following a significant legal victory against Apple, which underscored the company’s commitment to enhancing the developer experience and fostering a more equitable marketplace.
